Here is the deal with this continual argument. The problem here is the preaching and the name calling. Some in the pro helmet camp take on an almost evangelic fervor about it that is just going to piss people off. It`s like the new born again Christian or new non smoker who seems to be on some mission to save the world. In every one of these threads that pop up over and over and over again, year after year after year after year, its always the same. The pro helmet evangilist resorts to calling everyone else dumb, stupid, idiot, moron, etc. This is NOT how you are going to win anyone over. In all of these arguments over the years I have not seen a case wear a non helmet person has called the helmet advocate names. This is just like the God freaks who get nasty and mean when the atheist does not agree with them on the subject of religion.

Being in the profession of snowsports, we talk a lot about this issue and quite frankly, almost everyone is sick and tired of the helmet preachers who really need to get over themselves and just stop it; its fucking annoying as hell. I don't think there is a single person out there that doesn't get the benefits of helmet use but this constant barrage of helmet, helmet, helmet, helmet gets fucking old. What the helmet evangelist doesn't seem to get is that by proselytizing non stop, they are actually creating Resistance to helmet use in the same way that in many cases, nagging a smoker to quit will actually make them more determined not to.

Think about it. Look at this thread as an example. In the 5 years of admining this forum, I cannot remember ever seeing a thread started by someone who doesn't wear a helmet, preaching the evils of helmet use or making fun of people wearing helmets. On the other hand we have on average 2 or 3 of these "wear your helmet" threads a year. After awhile it just gets fucking old.

What also gets old is the repeated anecdotal stories about how a helmet saved this person`s life or prevented that person`s concussion or death. Fact of the matter is that even without helmet use, skiing and riding is actually statistically a very safe sport. You are hundreds of times more likely to receive a head injury in the car crash on the way to or from the mountain.

If a person does not want to wear a helmet, it is no one else`s business and it is not anyone`s place to be preaching about it. As an adult, capable of my own risk assessment I can determine for myself whether I choose to wear or not wear a helmet and I don't need some do gooder acting like my personal nanny. Sorry, but the proselytizing is a form of butting into other people`s business and it is both intrusive and rude.

That is why people get testy over this constant preaching. We all get it. We all "should" be wearing a helmet. If we are not already doing so it is not because the helmet evangelists hasn't spread the good news; its because we made a choice not to and the preaching is only going to turn people off.

In all fairness SnoWolf , I've shown you immense respect I'm every thread in which we've communicated . I think I have every right to call someone out on being idiotic or making an idiotic statement. As I mentioned before, I really don't give a crap one way or the other if someone chooses to wear a helmet.. I'm a 27 year old adult who makes his own decisions and determined that whether I like the look and feel of a helmet or not, I feel that it is a simple and effective way to protect myself against avoidable head injury. If someone doesn't want to wear one, that is their perogative. What bothers me is the nonsensical and frankly idiotic reasonings behind it. To say that you (and I mean you in the general term) are above reproach and know your limits, so you don't need a helmet or any other number of frankly stupid arguments is the issue. As someone who puts alot of time and effort into promoting this sport, it's disappointing to me to hear that you think people who are pro-helmet take on some type of preaching role. Could it be that perhaps we want to set a better example for new riders coming into the sport ? Could it be that we have had enough close calls in our own lives that we feel it is prudent to share that information with others and hopefully they can avoid the same conclusion? Concussions, head injuries, etc. are a serious injury as recent medical studies have shown. Am I a dr or a scientist ? No, but I do understand common sense. I think that calling out someone's argument for or against helmets on the grounds of them making an idiotic statement is something is not only appropriate but necessary. You spend alot of time on this forum correcting misinformation - to say that someone is so good at snowboarding that they're immune to falling on their head is just stupid, and I think most would agree.
Also, as I mentioned, I've shown you a ton of respect and I DO respect you, but you set a precedent for personal attacks in the NS Fiberglass thread that is above and beyond what I've seen you call many people out for. I realize that as a moderator you can generally do what you want and I happen to be okay with that, but I think it's sort of self righteous to tell me that I'm being insulting by calling a duck a duck. I try not to be argumentative or rude without provocation and I don't post unless I feel that I can contribute in some way to the conversation.
I mean no disrespect by any of this, I just felt that I needed to say this. Not everyone will like what I have to say, but that is what a forum is for - discussion and debate and the sharing or knowledge ( and often misinformation.)

Like I said earlier in the thread and like Donutz agreed, we don't care if you choose to wear a helmet or not, but don't serve up some lame ass reason to everyone on a platter and not expect someone to call it out. I think you'd agree ?

Edit: one last thing , I didn't start this thread nor am I the only one who has tried to explain the benefits of wearing a helmet. I am simply a contributor to a topic that was started by someone else. If you'd like to PM me or talk in some way, ill bet you'd see that we are actually very much alike and on the same page.